475 BC, Eion, Greece
"Run! For Zeus' sake, run!" The old man yelled at his son, pushing him out of the door.
"No!" the teenage boy yelled back, trying to force his way back inside. "I won't leave you!"
"The city is lost, son. Can't you hear them?" the old man insisted, trying to push his pale, gentle son outside.
Yes, the boy thought. I can hear them. I know they're all running, I know we'll all be slaughtered. But I won't leave you here alone.
"I can't run, son, not with my leg. But I won't see you killed because you refuse to leave me. My last thought will not be regret that I could not save you!"
"Father, please!" the boy pleaded.
The old man grabbed a passing soldier by the arm. "You, soldier. Take this boy with you. Don't let him return here, keep him safe. Take these gold pieces, and please, keep my son alive." He was nearly crying as he finished speaking.
The soldier looked from father to son, nodded tersely, and took the bag of coins. "If I can get him out of here alive, I will."
Relief washed over the old man's face. "Bless you."
The soldier turned to the boy and smirked. "Are you going to resist?"
"I will not leave my father!" the boy shouted hotly.
"Very well," the soldier said, proceeding to hoist the wriggling boy onto his shoulder. "This is going to be a very entertaining trip." He turned back to the boy's father and saluted him, before running to escape the city as though he was carrying no more than a lightweight shield slung across his back.